Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

Fang Yu then took her hand, tightening his grip on her fingers, and began to talk nonsense with a straight face: "Xin'er, do you believe me when I say that I took a nap last night and dreamt that a deity said we were destined to be together, so he cured my stubborn illness and taught me a whole set of skills?"

Although this is just a fantasy, there's no better explanation at the moment, so it's up to Xin'er to decide whether to believe it or not.

To everyone's surprise, Fang Xin nodded vigorously with an envious look on her face: "Sister, what kind of deity is it? Could you please ask the deity to enlighten me so that I can also protect Mother and Sister?"

Fang Yu tapped her forehead: "You silly girl, the affairs of immortals are not something that mortals like you and me can dream about at will."

"That's right," Fang Xin nodded, then asked, "So, sister, are you really cured?"

Fang Yu nodded seriously and solemnly, and Fang Xin hugged her tightly with great joy: "That's great, that's great."

Uncle Liu was getting anxious waiting at the city gate. It was getting dark, and if the two sisters didn't return soon, he would have to go look for them.

Turning around, the two sisters walked out hand in hand, their faces beaming with smiles.

Uncle Liu quickly stepped forward and asked, "Sister Yu, has something happened?"

The two sisters shook their heads together. Fang Yu said, "Uncle Liu must be getting impatient. Let's go now."

……

The private room of Tianxianglou.

Xiao Jingqi sat at the table, his earlier anger had subsided, but his face was still a little dark, and the tips of his fingers on the table were faintly white.

"Master." Mo Jiu bowed and reported with his head slightly lowered: "Prefect Zhang only knows that you have come to investigate the lost Biling Pearl that was presented to the Empress Dowager, but he does not know your true identity. He dared to drug you and try to offer his own daughter to control you. It seems that the loss of the Biling Pearl must be related to him."

Xiao Jingqi is the seventh Prince of Qin in Beiyu, whose courtesy name is Zizhao. Qingshan City is his fief. The Jade Spirit Pearl was found by his father, who sent people from beyond the Great Wall. Legend has it that wearing the Jade Spirit Pearl close to one's body can prolong life.

During the escort, the news somehow leaked out, and the property was seized by bandits in Qingshan City, which was his fiefdom. On the surface, it seemed like only a single Jade Spirit Pearl had been lost, but the truth behind it was a complex and complicated affair. He volunteered to come and investigate this audacious group of thieves.

This trip was conducted under the guise of a fifth-rank inspector. The Jade Spirit Pearl was stolen in Qingshan City, and not only could Governor Zhang not provide any clues, but he also attempted to bribe him, intending to cover it up.

Xiao Jingqi pondered for a long time, took a deep breath, his emotions unreadable, and said calmly, "Continue the investigation."

At that moment, he wasn't thinking about Governor Zhang or Bi Lingzhu, but about the woman who had saved him.

The woman's attire clearly indicated she was an ordinary villager from outside Qingshan City; she was emaciated and looked like she hadn't had enough to eat for years. Although he was mostly under the influence of drugs, he could clearly sense the woman's murderous intent at that moment.

A single pill easily neutralized the aphrodisiac in his body. If it were just a coincidence, that would be one thing, but otherwise, this person is highly suspicious.

……

Uncle Liu hurriedly drove the oxcart back to the village. It was dark just as he arrived at his house. Before he reached the door, a ball of fire was approaching from the front.

Li came over with a lantern, and when she heard the sound of ox hooves hitting the ground, she quickened her pace, asking as she walked, "Are you Yu'er and Xin'er?"

"Mother! It's us."

The two sisters answered in unison, and upon hearing their voices, Li felt a weight lifted from her heart.

When we got home, Uncle Liu helped us unload the things before leaving.

Holding a handful of white rice in her hand, Li's eyes were slightly moist under the dim moonlight.

Fang Yu only then noticed the old pots and pans piled up in the corner, and asked, "Mom, where did these come from?"

Li took a deep breath and said, "This was sent by everyone. We will always remember their kindness."

Although these things are worthless, Mother is right; they are a token of gratitude and should be remembered.

"I know, Mother." Fang Yu took out the biscuits she had been carrying in her bosom. "It's getting late. Let's have these for dinner first, and then we can settle things properly tomorrow."

The mother and her two daughters sat in a row on the straw mat, taking small bites of the sesame seed cakes.

There was also spiritual spring water that Fang Yu had specially prepared, which was good for the body and should be drunk more often.

Fang Xin blinked her lips. "Sis, didn't I fetch this water? It tastes much better than usual."

Fang Yu patted her head: "You're so happy that even cold water tastes good."

In short, no matter what Fang Yu said, she thought it was right.

Although Fang Yu has said more than once that her illness is cured, Li Shi and Fang Xin have gotten used to taking care of her over the years.

The weather is still relatively warm, but we're worried she'll catch a cold, so we always let her sleep in the middle.

Fang Xin, who is two years younger than her, takes care of her more like a sensible older sister.

Because of this, Fang Yu tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and finally fell into a deep sleep just before dawn.

When Li and Fang Xin got up, they didn't make a sound, afraid of disturbing her rest.

"Bang! Bang!"

Fang Yu was awakened by a loud knocking on the door. She sat up abruptly, and then heard a noisy commotion outside.

Fang Xin opened the courtyard gate, and Zhang Shi and Fang Youcai squeezed in.

Zhang didn't mince words at all, pointing at Li and saying, "Hand over the money from selling the wild boar!"

"You're dreaming!" Fang Xin retorted without any politeness after learning about what happened yesterday: "We picked up the wild boar, why should we give it to you? If you want money, go pick it up on the mountain yourself."

"What business is it of yours, little brat, to talk to an adult?" Fang Youcai scolded Fang Xin, presuming on his status as an elder.

Li walked over, wiping her water-drenched hands. Her somber gaze seemed to hold a hint of sadness. "My two daughters and I severed all ties with the Fang family just yesterday. You are not welcome here. Please leave."

Fang Youcai and Zhang were both somewhat surprised. They had come today specifically to ask for money, and they wouldn't leave so easily if they hadn't achieved their goal.

The two exchanged a glance, and Zhang, understanding immediately, plopped down on the ground without caring about the dirt. She then began to yell, "Youfu, if you're watching from heaven, look at your wife! Your elder brother is in trouble, and you're gone, and she just stands by and watches..."

Fang Yu, who had been standing at the door of the room for a while, remained silent as Zhang Shi continued her unreasonable tirade, simply watching her wail and scream.

Fang Youcai also pretended to wipe away tears: "Sister-in-law, when I was alive, I was the most filial to our parents. They were exhausted because of me. This time it was my fault, and I promise I will never do it again."

“My parents are getting old. If I were still alive, I would never bear to see them working so hard. Sister-in-law, please do me a favor and help me this once.”

If force didn't work, Fang Youcai could only resort to what they had agreed upon beforehand: appealing to family ties and hoping that Li would soften her heart.

They also accurately pinpointed the vulnerable spot in Li's heart.

Fang Youfu has always been very filial to his parents, which Fang Yu also knows.

Sure enough, when Fang Youfu was mentioned, Li became more emotional, and the image of her deceased husband, who respected his parents and loved his children, gradually became clear in her mind.